Business for the Arts Broward (BFA) continues its Arts Mean Business Speaker Series (AMB) with the return of renowned graffiti artist Cey Adams on Thursday, May 21 from 5 to 6 p.m. as a free virtual event. Due to limited space, viewers who wish to attend the Q&A are required to RSVP at rvegas@bfabroward.org or call 954-940-5344 to receive the link.
Adams emerged from the downtown graffiti movement to exhibit alongside fellow artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. The New York City native appeared in the historic 1982 PBS documentary Style Wars, which tracks subway graffiti in New York. He served as creative director for Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons’ Def Jam Recordings, where he co-founded the Drawing Board, the label’s in-house visual design firm, creating visual identities, album covers, logos and advertising campaigns for Run DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Notorious B.I.G., Maroon 5 and Jay-Z.
Adams exhibits, lectures and teaches art workshops at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, MoMA, Museum of the City of New York, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center among others. He draws inspiration from 60’s pop art, sign painting, vintage comics and popular culture, and his work focuses on themes including pop culture, brand identity, cultural and community issues.
Adams has also worked with the Urban League of Broward County and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to engage youth in the afterschool program in a three-day service learning project as the Urban League of Broward County seeks to educate middle school age youth about healthy relationships and the value of protecting themselves against preventable diseases such as HIV.
AMB is just one of several ways BFA supports local artists while fostering cultural vitality, creative success and economic development. BFA continuously supports the local arts community and promotes local artists, cultural non-profits and diverse art-related projects. BFA annually hosts several events in addition to AMB, including Art & Soul, Art in the Workplace, Art Curation and Art+Stroll.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.bfabroward.org or contact Robyn Vegas at 954-940-5344 or rvegas@bfabroward.org.